Saratoga

(Jack Conway, US 1937, 92 min., 35mm)

National Endowment for the Arts | Free Member Film. This horse-racing comedy is best remembered today for the death of its star, Jean Harlow. Only 26 at the time, Harlow collapsed on the set of the film and died shortly thereafter. Shooting was completed with a stand-in, cleverly shot from afar or behind hats, and the film was released a mere seven weeks after Harlow’s death. Despite the tragic history of the production, the film became one of 1937’s biggest successes. Saratoga also stars Clark Gable as a charming bookie and Lionel Barrymore as Harlow’s grandfather. Free to members.